The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has offered a strong justification for the ongoing impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing the governor and his deputy of running an administration that threatens democratic governance in the state.
Amaewhule made the remarks during plenary, where he alleged that Governor Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, had consistently undermined constitutional processes and the authority of the legislature.
“Fubara is a mistake,” the Speaker declared, accusing the governor of deliberately weakening constitutional governance and treating the House of Assembly with contempt.
The Speaker expressed deep concern over the failure of the executive to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing the situation as unprecedented and a major embarrassment for Rivers State.
According to Amaewhule, no other state in Nigeria—and possibly across West Africa—has failed to present a budget for the next fiscal year at this stage.
“It is unbelievable that in the 21st century, a state like Rivers has neither presented nor passed an appropriation bill for 2026,” he said, stressing that there is nothing in the constitution preventing the governor from laying the budget before the Assembly.
Amaewhule further alleged that Governor Fubara had openly mocked the legislature, boasting to his supporters that the House of Assembly was powerless and allegedly referring to lawmakers as “toothless bulldogs” incapable of enforcing the constitution.
He described the unfolding events in Rivers State as “a sad commentary for Nigeria’s democracy,” insisting that the actions of the governor and his deputy reflected a troubling disregard for due process and democratic norms.
The Speaker warned that the continued failure to respect constitutional responsibilities could have grave consequences for governance in the state, emphasizing that the Rivers State House of Assembly would not abdicate its oversight role under any circumstances.
